A/N: I don't like writing these at the beginning of a chapter but I had to
announce this! When I wrote this we were sitting at the 99 review mark! Two
things: you guys rock! Go you! And *gasps excitedly* Adam's number!!! 99!
*coughs nervously then squeals* Anyways on with the story. . .
~*~
I bolted out into the courtyard and began to dig through my pockets for the little slip of paper that she has given me before. I pulled out my cell phone and began to dial the number with lightening speed and began to count the rings. One. . . Two. . . Three. . . I immediately hung up and began to run for the JV locker room, the snow crunching beneath my sneakers. I gripped my jacket around me tight as the wind whistled around me, stumbling through the snow.
I have always felt this great . . . pressure coming down on me. I don't know if that is part of being a Banks or if it's just me. But it crushes me, so much that I can barely breathe. I'm drowning in the people in my life, drowning in bastards. Since I met Josie, she's lifted it. I'm not sure how exactly. But I know that I went on living the way I was, the way I could be if she leaves, I'll be completely crazy before I hit twenty. I don't know if that's selfish for wanting her to stay. I don't know if I'm wrong for wanting that. But I do know that I'm not ready to give up just yet. I guess that's the blood of a champion that runs through my veins.
I burst through the heavy arena doors, the heat melting the coldness away. I shivered as I brushed off the snow and walked toward the JV change room in hopes no one would be there. The door creaked open to an empty room. It would be full at 2:00 pm though. I walked into the deserted room. I wasn't sure I liked it so quiet. It was as if it were haunted, old memories filled this space. Old memories I wanted to forget.
***
I bit my lip nervously as I took off my glove and gingerly touched my wrist. It was a bit stiff. Stupid Iceland guy last year. I proceeded to take off my jersey and hang it up on the hook.
"Adam!"
I jumped at the sound of my name and looked toward the door at my father who stood red faced and rigid.
His eyes flashed. "Why didn't you make that shot?! It was a wide open net! Are you an idiot or are you TRYING to embarrass me!"
I blinked as I looked down upon my wrist. "It hurt. . ."
I felt a sharp hit by my ear making it pop a little, squinting at my father who stood above me still frowning angrily. "If you are going fuck up like that again I'm not coming."
***
When he did it, I could barely believe that he did. Sure he and I exchanged harsh words, me on the receiving end more times than I would like to admit, but we never actually physically hurt each other. And it did hurt. His class ring from Princeton left a good sized welt on my head. It wasn't like he beat me either. My father wasn't the type to do that. He just liked showing me exactly where my place was in life and threatening me not to cross the line. By now I knew exactly where my spot was. My son was to earn my father recognition and congratulations.
"Adam. . ." A hushed voice called out to me as the change room door squealed open and Josie peaked around it.
I pushed aside my painful memories and smiled. "Hey."
Josie put her finger to her lips signaling me to be quiet. "Erica was in the room when my cell rang. She's been following me everywhere."
I nodded and pulled her into the showers, outside of the main room. "You made it." I said in a hushed voice so it wouldn't echo off the walls.
"Yeah. What did you want?" She said looking out into the main room and back to me.
I swallowed nervously. "The Dean and I had a little chat about the article in the newspaper today." I bit my lip in hopes of her not getting angry. "Did you read it?"
She nodded. "Yeah. It made you seem like a dick."
I frowned. "Yeah well you seemed like a slut." I said jokingly.
She shrugged and laughed. "No big. My name wasn't even mentioned."
I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, the Dean wasn't too pleased to have a pregnant girl enrolled here and he wanted me to give up your name, but I didn't."
She giggled as her rubbed her stomach and batted her eyelashes. "I was thinking that if the baby is a boy we could name him after you, sugar." She said winking. "What is your middle name anyways?"
"Not funny." I said shaking my head at her. "Anyways, I think we should be extra careful now because now we have teachers watching us. And hide my jacket; we don't need Erica stumbling upon it."
She nodded quietly and smiled. "We should go. Seeing last time I left first, you can this time." She replied winking.
I gave her a quick squeeze and walked out of the showers and shoving my hands in my pockets. I knew exactly what to do when I got to my dorms.
~*~
I eyed the phone, weary of what by happen if I call. My hand shook as it hovered above the phone with a cord so long I could have walked down the hall with it. Actually I've seen it done before, but that's beside the point. I quickly pulled my hand back contemplating calling my father. I wasn't scared of calling him, seeing if I pissed him off there is a good drive to get here to yell in my face. The thing that scared me was if he had changed at all; rather changed back into the control freak he was before. I shook my head clearing in hopes of clearing such nonsense from my head and grabbed the phone, dialing the number I had memorized those many years ago out of tradition, not necessity.
My father picked up clearing his throat. "Banks residence; Phillip Banks speaking."
I stayed silent. His answer was cold and unfriendly. I contemplated hanging up.
My father sighed aggravated and repeated himself. "Banks residence; Phillip Banks speaking."
"Hi, it's Adam." I replied at a mile a minute.
"Adam who?" My father replied bored.
My jaw dropped. Doesn't he even know my voice? "Adam Banks; you know your son."
My father immediately went to the ever popular cliché father figure. "Oh Adam! You barely ever call! How are you? Doing well on your exams? Hockey is good?"
I felt nervousness flood my body as questions pummeled upon me, although they were simple. "I'm good. My exams are good. Hockey is . . . good?" I kicked myself for using good three times in a row. I skip a grade in English and all I can come up with is GOOD!
"That's wonderful son!"
I blink amazed. He bought that bullshit? I took a deep breath before continuing. "Actually I didn't call about an update. I wanted to talk about Josie."
"Josie who?"
I rolled my eyes. My father was definitely not good with names. "Josie Best, she's the daughter of a good friend of yours who went to college with you and everyone thought she was pregnant."
"She isn't pregnant, is she?" My father's controlling side got the best of him for a few seconds.
I shook my head and immediately kicked myself. You're talking on the phone stupid; your father can't see you!
"Is she Adam?"
"No!" I yelped realizing that I hadn't answered him.
"Excellent." My father said pleased that things were going his way. "Then what about her? I can't set you up on a date. She already has a boyfriend."
"She already has a what-friend!"
My father completely seemed nonchalant about my outburst. "A boyfriend. You know that wonderful boy that she was with at the dinner party. What was his name . . .?" He muffled the receiver, yet I could still hear him speak. "Dearest! What was the name of the boy that my newest investor has?"
My mother spoke next. "William, William Hayworth, I think."
"William Hayworth. Wonderful young fellow. Figure skater you know; used to play hockey and started figure skating to smooth over his rough edges. Wonderful young boy and I might add they look absolutely adorable together."
I thought I would yak right there on the hardwood floors of our dorm rooms. Wonderful young boy my ass! "No father actually it isn't about a date."
"Oh then what is it?"
I swallowed nervously. "Josie and I have become quite good friends and she . . . tells me everything. Anyways, her father has her enrolled in an all Girls' Catholic School in Minneapolis. . ."
"St Maria Goretti, sister school to St. Stephen School for Boys. You know you were going to go there until you got that scholarship of yours. I hear nuns teach the classes and keep them quite well behaved. I went to Eden Hall and so did your grandfather however, St. Stephen always kept their students more focused."
I shook my head. "Yes anyways. Her father has enrolled her in the girl's school and she doesn't want to go! She says she likes it here but her father won't listen to her at all. I thought that seeing you were such a good friend of her father you could convince him to keep her here."
My father sadly sighed. "Adam, it isn't my place to. . ."
"Dad! Please! Don't do this for me but for her. She said she would be completely miserable without m_. . . I mean there." I took a breath and congratulated myself for catching myself on such a close call. "She has adapted to Eden Hall and is doing so well. . ."
My father sighed. "Ok. Ok. I'll talk to him but I can't promise anything. And you, you keep your nose out of their business. I mean it. You keep your nose clean." He sighed. "I best be going. I have to make some phone calls on your behalf. Goodbye son, I love you."
My jaw dropped as I heard the dial tone. Twice! He has said that twice!
"Adam! Open up now!" I heard Fulton yell pounding on my door which I had locked because of the phone call I made.
I scurried over to the door and whipped it open revealing Fulton and Portman standing at my door, Portman holding up Josie whose eyes were threatening tears. Her one cheek was red and a little puffy. "Jesus. Come in!"
~
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A/N: Dun dun dun! I wonder who it is . . . because it is so hard to guess. Ok, I guess my filler that I thought was going to turn out like crap (last chapter) went over better than I expected! *smiles happily* Anyways I hope you like this chapter, even though it is short (my computer blipped and I had to restart it from the flashback all over again! I was so upset!) I don't like writing short chapters because it is a major pet peeve because you just get into the story and then its like oh, I'm done for now. Meanwhile you're sitting at your computer cursing my name, ripping out your hair yelling 'IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!!!' Yes, I have an overactive imagination, so sue me. Actually if you did sue me you would get like two dollars Canadian which right now with the Canadian dollar is right now is like a buck twenty American so whoopee; and maybe the rights to Josie, but I kind of like her so you can have. . . Erica! There ya go. Anywho Random shout outs!!
Rachel- You almost got kicked out of the library because of me? Aw shucks! Actually at our library we get kicked out if more than one person is using a computer or if there aren't enough seats, which is like ten. My school doesn't even really HAVE a library it's like essence of library; a few reference books, chapter books dating back to like the 1930s and some books that might have something to do with a course in our school if we went to school in the 60's. Anyways that was my rant. Oops! I knew I read the name Gina someplace! A review!! Ok, Anne198 (if you ever read this) I didn't mean to use your name on an evil character! The only reason why I picked it was because of the fact it started with G! I knew I should have picked something else! Oh well. Anyways, no Duck fights. I don't really like them. I might have a disagreement or Adam tossing the fact that they didn't believe him in their faces, but no Duck wars. I love your reviews to death!!!
Tara- Ok when I pictured Dean Buckley talking to Adam I was picturing him having his face slowly get red and his eyes beginning to bulge (yes I did have a teacher like that. Mr. Hanson kicked ass though but he did do that when he got angry. Grade 7 was tons of fun!) Gina the Gossip Ghost one of my usual ideas. I agree she did make him sound like Luis, (and I don't like portraying Luis as a player, but a lover *smiles proudly*. I was SOOO proud when I came up with 99 and counting. I was like celebrating! What did Josie do when she read it? She laughed at Adam. She knows it isn't true! I'm glad you liked the storage closet thing, again no kisses, but you know I'm unpredictable! I have a feeling I will hit 100 reviews to! I will award the 100th reviewer award next chapter! Because my bus was cancelled (snow day!!!) Adam and I got to hang out all day! We were considering putting him on a plane, but we were kind of snowed in and couldn't! *Adam runs from outside and grins* Adam: "I was coming to Australia, but there was so much snow! I had to stay! *giggles* I made a snowman!!" Adam runs upstairs to make coca* I will continue soon! Promise!
Jennifer- Yay! New reviewer!!! Hey and you were in a private school! I'm so happy that I was on the right track when the Dean was upset with Adam messing with Eden halls morals! You made my day! I thought I was making a shot in the dark! I'm glad you like my story! I'm glad you're reading it! And I will update ASAP just for you guys!
Beaner- *screams in delight* Yay!!!!! Thanks for the excuse to write the Dean out of character! I'm glad you liked the chemical storeroom. I hope you like the change rooms! *Adam runs from behind author hands her a coca and runs away with her keyboard typing like mad* Adam: Muah ha ha ha! I'm going to finish her shout outs! I'm glad Katie (the author) didn't make me into a whiny brat either because I'm not! And I think you think all the time, I think. *shakes head and continues* its ok that you didn't help with Katie's article, she's proud of it, but she wants to know that it probably would have been better with your help! I hate Erica too. And please for my sake grumble any profanities because it helps Katie with future fights! As much as they injure me. I know it was good of me not to give up Josie's name! I was so proud! Of me! Katie thanks you and she promises to update soon (PS- absolutely love the name!! I like fans!) *author grabs keyboard and rolls her eyes.* Anyways review! (We are reaching the 100 mark!) I will reward the 100th reviewer next chapter! It will be dedicated to you! I promise!! I'll get to writing right away ok?
~Toodles!!
~*~
I bolted out into the courtyard and began to dig through my pockets for the little slip of paper that she has given me before. I pulled out my cell phone and began to dial the number with lightening speed and began to count the rings. One. . . Two. . . Three. . . I immediately hung up and began to run for the JV locker room, the snow crunching beneath my sneakers. I gripped my jacket around me tight as the wind whistled around me, stumbling through the snow.
I have always felt this great . . . pressure coming down on me. I don't know if that is part of being a Banks or if it's just me. But it crushes me, so much that I can barely breathe. I'm drowning in the people in my life, drowning in bastards. Since I met Josie, she's lifted it. I'm not sure how exactly. But I know that I went on living the way I was, the way I could be if she leaves, I'll be completely crazy before I hit twenty. I don't know if that's selfish for wanting her to stay. I don't know if I'm wrong for wanting that. But I do know that I'm not ready to give up just yet. I guess that's the blood of a champion that runs through my veins.
I burst through the heavy arena doors, the heat melting the coldness away. I shivered as I brushed off the snow and walked toward the JV change room in hopes no one would be there. The door creaked open to an empty room. It would be full at 2:00 pm though. I walked into the deserted room. I wasn't sure I liked it so quiet. It was as if it were haunted, old memories filled this space. Old memories I wanted to forget.
***
I bit my lip nervously as I took off my glove and gingerly touched my wrist. It was a bit stiff. Stupid Iceland guy last year. I proceeded to take off my jersey and hang it up on the hook.
"Adam!"
I jumped at the sound of my name and looked toward the door at my father who stood red faced and rigid.
His eyes flashed. "Why didn't you make that shot?! It was a wide open net! Are you an idiot or are you TRYING to embarrass me!"
I blinked as I looked down upon my wrist. "It hurt. . ."
I felt a sharp hit by my ear making it pop a little, squinting at my father who stood above me still frowning angrily. "If you are going fuck up like that again I'm not coming."
***
When he did it, I could barely believe that he did. Sure he and I exchanged harsh words, me on the receiving end more times than I would like to admit, but we never actually physically hurt each other. And it did hurt. His class ring from Princeton left a good sized welt on my head. It wasn't like he beat me either. My father wasn't the type to do that. He just liked showing me exactly where my place was in life and threatening me not to cross the line. By now I knew exactly where my spot was. My son was to earn my father recognition and congratulations.
"Adam. . ." A hushed voice called out to me as the change room door squealed open and Josie peaked around it.
I pushed aside my painful memories and smiled. "Hey."
Josie put her finger to her lips signaling me to be quiet. "Erica was in the room when my cell rang. She's been following me everywhere."
I nodded and pulled her into the showers, outside of the main room. "You made it." I said in a hushed voice so it wouldn't echo off the walls.
"Yeah. What did you want?" She said looking out into the main room and back to me.
I swallowed nervously. "The Dean and I had a little chat about the article in the newspaper today." I bit my lip in hopes of her not getting angry. "Did you read it?"
She nodded. "Yeah. It made you seem like a dick."
I frowned. "Yeah well you seemed like a slut." I said jokingly.
She shrugged and laughed. "No big. My name wasn't even mentioned."
I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, the Dean wasn't too pleased to have a pregnant girl enrolled here and he wanted me to give up your name, but I didn't."
She giggled as her rubbed her stomach and batted her eyelashes. "I was thinking that if the baby is a boy we could name him after you, sugar." She said winking. "What is your middle name anyways?"
"Not funny." I said shaking my head at her. "Anyways, I think we should be extra careful now because now we have teachers watching us. And hide my jacket; we don't need Erica stumbling upon it."
She nodded quietly and smiled. "We should go. Seeing last time I left first, you can this time." She replied winking.
I gave her a quick squeeze and walked out of the showers and shoving my hands in my pockets. I knew exactly what to do when I got to my dorms.
~*~
I eyed the phone, weary of what by happen if I call. My hand shook as it hovered above the phone with a cord so long I could have walked down the hall with it. Actually I've seen it done before, but that's beside the point. I quickly pulled my hand back contemplating calling my father. I wasn't scared of calling him, seeing if I pissed him off there is a good drive to get here to yell in my face. The thing that scared me was if he had changed at all; rather changed back into the control freak he was before. I shook my head clearing in hopes of clearing such nonsense from my head and grabbed the phone, dialing the number I had memorized those many years ago out of tradition, not necessity.
My father picked up clearing his throat. "Banks residence; Phillip Banks speaking."
I stayed silent. His answer was cold and unfriendly. I contemplated hanging up.
My father sighed aggravated and repeated himself. "Banks residence; Phillip Banks speaking."
"Hi, it's Adam." I replied at a mile a minute.
"Adam who?" My father replied bored.
My jaw dropped. Doesn't he even know my voice? "Adam Banks; you know your son."
My father immediately went to the ever popular cliché father figure. "Oh Adam! You barely ever call! How are you? Doing well on your exams? Hockey is good?"
I felt nervousness flood my body as questions pummeled upon me, although they were simple. "I'm good. My exams are good. Hockey is . . . good?" I kicked myself for using good three times in a row. I skip a grade in English and all I can come up with is GOOD!
"That's wonderful son!"
I blink amazed. He bought that bullshit? I took a deep breath before continuing. "Actually I didn't call about an update. I wanted to talk about Josie."
"Josie who?"
I rolled my eyes. My father was definitely not good with names. "Josie Best, she's the daughter of a good friend of yours who went to college with you and everyone thought she was pregnant."
"She isn't pregnant, is she?" My father's controlling side got the best of him for a few seconds.
I shook my head and immediately kicked myself. You're talking on the phone stupid; your father can't see you!
"Is she Adam?"
"No!" I yelped realizing that I hadn't answered him.
"Excellent." My father said pleased that things were going his way. "Then what about her? I can't set you up on a date. She already has a boyfriend."
"She already has a what-friend!"
My father completely seemed nonchalant about my outburst. "A boyfriend. You know that wonderful boy that she was with at the dinner party. What was his name . . .?" He muffled the receiver, yet I could still hear him speak. "Dearest! What was the name of the boy that my newest investor has?"
My mother spoke next. "William, William Hayworth, I think."
"William Hayworth. Wonderful young fellow. Figure skater you know; used to play hockey and started figure skating to smooth over his rough edges. Wonderful young boy and I might add they look absolutely adorable together."
I thought I would yak right there on the hardwood floors of our dorm rooms. Wonderful young boy my ass! "No father actually it isn't about a date."
"Oh then what is it?"
I swallowed nervously. "Josie and I have become quite good friends and she . . . tells me everything. Anyways, her father has her enrolled in an all Girls' Catholic School in Minneapolis. . ."
"St Maria Goretti, sister school to St. Stephen School for Boys. You know you were going to go there until you got that scholarship of yours. I hear nuns teach the classes and keep them quite well behaved. I went to Eden Hall and so did your grandfather however, St. Stephen always kept their students more focused."
I shook my head. "Yes anyways. Her father has enrolled her in the girl's school and she doesn't want to go! She says she likes it here but her father won't listen to her at all. I thought that seeing you were such a good friend of her father you could convince him to keep her here."
My father sadly sighed. "Adam, it isn't my place to. . ."
"Dad! Please! Don't do this for me but for her. She said she would be completely miserable without m_. . . I mean there." I took a breath and congratulated myself for catching myself on such a close call. "She has adapted to Eden Hall and is doing so well. . ."
My father sighed. "Ok. Ok. I'll talk to him but I can't promise anything. And you, you keep your nose out of their business. I mean it. You keep your nose clean." He sighed. "I best be going. I have to make some phone calls on your behalf. Goodbye son, I love you."
My jaw dropped as I heard the dial tone. Twice! He has said that twice!
"Adam! Open up now!" I heard Fulton yell pounding on my door which I had locked because of the phone call I made.
I scurried over to the door and whipped it open revealing Fulton and Portman standing at my door, Portman holding up Josie whose eyes were threatening tears. Her one cheek was red and a little puffy. "Jesus. Come in!"
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A/N: Dun dun dun! I wonder who it is . . . because it is so hard to guess. Ok, I guess my filler that I thought was going to turn out like crap (last chapter) went over better than I expected! *smiles happily* Anyways I hope you like this chapter, even though it is short (my computer blipped and I had to restart it from the flashback all over again! I was so upset!) I don't like writing short chapters because it is a major pet peeve because you just get into the story and then its like oh, I'm done for now. Meanwhile you're sitting at your computer cursing my name, ripping out your hair yelling 'IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!!!' Yes, I have an overactive imagination, so sue me. Actually if you did sue me you would get like two dollars Canadian which right now with the Canadian dollar is right now is like a buck twenty American so whoopee; and maybe the rights to Josie, but I kind of like her so you can have. . . Erica! There ya go. Anywho Random shout outs!!
Rachel- You almost got kicked out of the library because of me? Aw shucks! Actually at our library we get kicked out if more than one person is using a computer or if there aren't enough seats, which is like ten. My school doesn't even really HAVE a library it's like essence of library; a few reference books, chapter books dating back to like the 1930s and some books that might have something to do with a course in our school if we went to school in the 60's. Anyways that was my rant. Oops! I knew I read the name Gina someplace! A review!! Ok, Anne198 (if you ever read this) I didn't mean to use your name on an evil character! The only reason why I picked it was because of the fact it started with G! I knew I should have picked something else! Oh well. Anyways, no Duck fights. I don't really like them. I might have a disagreement or Adam tossing the fact that they didn't believe him in their faces, but no Duck wars. I love your reviews to death!!!
Tara- Ok when I pictured Dean Buckley talking to Adam I was picturing him having his face slowly get red and his eyes beginning to bulge (yes I did have a teacher like that. Mr. Hanson kicked ass though but he did do that when he got angry. Grade 7 was tons of fun!) Gina the Gossip Ghost one of my usual ideas. I agree she did make him sound like Luis, (and I don't like portraying Luis as a player, but a lover *smiles proudly*. I was SOOO proud when I came up with 99 and counting. I was like celebrating! What did Josie do when she read it? She laughed at Adam. She knows it isn't true! I'm glad you liked the storage closet thing, again no kisses, but you know I'm unpredictable! I have a feeling I will hit 100 reviews to! I will award the 100th reviewer award next chapter! Because my bus was cancelled (snow day!!!) Adam and I got to hang out all day! We were considering putting him on a plane, but we were kind of snowed in and couldn't! *Adam runs from outside and grins* Adam: "I was coming to Australia, but there was so much snow! I had to stay! *giggles* I made a snowman!!" Adam runs upstairs to make coca* I will continue soon! Promise!
Jennifer- Yay! New reviewer!!! Hey and you were in a private school! I'm so happy that I was on the right track when the Dean was upset with Adam messing with Eden halls morals! You made my day! I thought I was making a shot in the dark! I'm glad you like my story! I'm glad you're reading it! And I will update ASAP just for you guys!
Beaner- *screams in delight* Yay!!!!! Thanks for the excuse to write the Dean out of character! I'm glad you liked the chemical storeroom. I hope you like the change rooms! *Adam runs from behind author hands her a coca and runs away with her keyboard typing like mad* Adam: Muah ha ha ha! I'm going to finish her shout outs! I'm glad Katie (the author) didn't make me into a whiny brat either because I'm not! And I think you think all the time, I think. *shakes head and continues* its ok that you didn't help with Katie's article, she's proud of it, but she wants to know that it probably would have been better with your help! I hate Erica too. And please for my sake grumble any profanities because it helps Katie with future fights! As much as they injure me. I know it was good of me not to give up Josie's name! I was so proud! Of me! Katie thanks you and she promises to update soon (PS- absolutely love the name!! I like fans!) *author grabs keyboard and rolls her eyes.* Anyways review! (We are reaching the 100 mark!) I will reward the 100th reviewer next chapter! It will be dedicated to you! I promise!! I'll get to writing right away ok?
~Toodles!!